Electric tool power supply having vehicle starting function

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses an electric tool power supply detachably installed on an electric tool, the electric tool power supply. The electric tool power supply comprises a power supply component, a first output interface, and a second output interface. The power supply component is configured to store and provide electrical energy. The first output interface is electrically coupled to the power supply component. The power supply component is configured to provide operating voltage for the electric tool through the first output interface. The second output interface is electrically coupled to the power supply component. The second output interface is further configured to electrically coupled to a starter of a vehicle. The power supply component is configured to output instantaneous large-current to the starter through the second output interface to start the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/291,223, filed on May 8, 2019, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201821867442.6, filed on Nov.13, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technology field of electric toolbatteries, and in particular to an electric tool power supply having avehicle starting function.

BACKGROUND

With the development of battery material technology, the capacity of thebattery has been greatly improved, and its application range has beenextended from some low-power electronic electrical devices to somehigh-power power electrical devices, such as electric tool tools (alsoknown as electric power tools, or power tools).

However, the performance of the existing electric tool battery isrelatively single, that is, it can only be used to supply for theelectric tool. When the electric tool is in an idle state (that is, theelectric tool is not in use), the battery is in an idle state, whichmakes the utilization rate of the electric tool battery low. If thebattery is not in use for a long time, the capacity and service life ofthe battery will decrease, which will affect the performance of thebattery.

SUMMARY

The embodiment of the present disclosure discloses an electric toolpower supply having a vehicle starting function, which can be used toignite and start a vehicle, thereby making the electric tool batteryhave multi-purpose and improving the utilization rate of the battery.

The implementation of the present disclosure discloses an electric toolpower supply detachably installed on an electric tool, the electric toolpower supply. The electric tool power supply includes a power supplycomponent, a first output interface and a second output interface. Thepower supply component is configured to store and provide electricalenergy. The first output interface is electrically coupled to the powersupply component, where the power supply component is configured toprovide operating voltage for the electric tool through the first outputinterface. The second output interface is electrically coupled to thepower supply component, where the second output interface is furtherconfigured to electrically coupled to a starter of a vehicle, and thepower supply component is configured to output instantaneouslarge-current to the starter through the second output interface tostart the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to illustrate the technical solutions in the implementations ofthe present disclosure more clearly, the accompanying drawings that needto be used in the implementations will be briefly introduced below. Itis obvious that the accompanying drawings in the following descriptiononly illustrate some implementations of the present disclosure. A personof ordinary skill in the art may also obtain other drawings based onthese accompanying drawings without paying any creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electric tool power supplyhaving a vehicle starting function according to an implementation of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electric tool power supplyhaving a vehicle starting function according to another implementationof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an electric tool power supplyhaving a vehicle starting function according to yet anotherimplementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solutions in the implementations of the presentapplication will be described clearly and completely in combination withthe accompanying drawings in the implementations of the presentapplication. Obviously, the described implementations are only part ofthe implementations of the present application, rather than all theimplementations. Based on the implementations in the present disclosure,all other implementations obtained by those of ordinary skill in the artwithout making creative work fall within the protection scope of thepresent disclosure.

The singular forms of “a”, “described” and “the” used in theimplementations of the present disclosure and the appended claims arealso intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearlyindicates other meanings. It should also be understood that the term“and/or” used herein refers to and includes any or all possiblecombinations of one or more associated listed items.

When a component is considered to be “connected” to another component,it may be directly connected to the another component or an intermediatecomponent may be present at the same time. Unless otherwise defined, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning asthose commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the presentdisclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific termsused herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by thoseskilled in the art of the present disclosure. The terms used in thedescription of the present disclosure are only for the purpose ofdescribing the specific implementations, and are not intended to limitthe present disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic block diagram of anelectric tool power supply 100 having a vehicle starting functionaccording to an implementation of the present disclosure. The electrictool power supply 100 is detachably installed on an electric tool 200(such as an electric drill, an electric wrench, an electric screwdriver,etc.), and is configured to provide operating voltage for the electrictool 200. In addition, the electric tool power supply 100 can also bedetachably installed in a vehicle and electrically coupled to a starter300 in the vehicle to start the vehicle. The starter 300 may be a motor.When starting, the electric tool power supply 100 drives the motor towork, and then the motor drives an engine of the vehicle to work,thereby completing the starting of the vehicle.

Specifically, the electric tool power supply 100 includes a power supplycomponent 10, a first output interface 20 and a second output interface30. The power supply component 10 is configured to store and provideelectrical energy. The first output interface 20 is electrically coupledto the power supply component 10. When the electric tool power supply100 is installed on the electric tool 200, the power supply component 10is configured to provide the operating voltage for the electric tool 200through the first output interface 20. The second output interface 30 iselectrically coupled to the power supply component 10. When the electrictool power supply 100 is installed on the vehicle, the power supplycomponent 10 is configured to output instantaneous large-current to thestarter 300 of the vehicle through the second output interface 30, so asto start the starter 300.

The electric tool power supply 100 disclosed in the present disclosureis provided with the first output interface 20 and the second outputinterface 30, which can not only provide the operating voltage for theelectric tool, but also can be served as a starting power supply of thevehicle to start the vehicle. That is, a function of ignition andstarting for fuel vehicles is added to the electric tool power supply,thereby improving the utilization rate and economical practicability ofthe electric tool power supply. In addition, the battery damage causedby long-term non-use of the electric tool power supply is avoided.

In some implementations, the first output interface 20 includes but isnot limited to a connector, a wire clip, a pin, a socket, etc., which isnot specifically limited here. When in use, the first output interface20 can be connected to a connection terminal of the electric tool 200.When the electric tool power supply 100 needs to be removed from theelectric tool 200, the first output interface 20 can be separated fromthe connection terminal of the electric tool 200. The second outputinterface 30 is similar to the first output interface, including but notlimited to a connector, a wire clip, a pin, a socket, etc., which is notspecifically limited here. When in use, the second output interface 30can be connected to a connection terminal of the starter 300. When theelectric tool power supply 100 needs to be removed from the vehicle, thesecond output interface 30 can be separated from the connection terminalof the starter 300.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic block diagram of anelectric tool power supply 100 having a vehicle starting functionaccording to another implementation of the present disclosure. In someimplementations, the power supply component 10 includes a commonterminal “a”, a first output terminal “b”, a second output terminal “c”,a first battery pack 101, and a second battery pack 102. The firstbattery pack 101 and the second battery pack 102 are coupled in series.The first battery pack 101 is electrically coupled between the commonterminal “a” and the second output terminal “c”. The second battery pack102 is electrically coupled between the first output terminal “b” andthe second output terminal “c”. The first output interface 20 includestwo first connection terminals “d” that are electrically coupled to thecommon terminal “a” and the first output terminal “b” in a one-to-onecorrespondence. The second output interface 30 includes two secondconnection terminals “e” that are electrically coupled to the commonterminal “a” and the second output terminal “c” in a one-to-onecorrespondence.

In some implementations, the first battery pack 101 includes a pluralityof battery modules 11 coupled in series, and the second battery pack 102includes at least one battery module 11. In this implementation, eachbattery module 11 may include one or more energy storage units. When thebattery module 11 includes a plurality of energy storage units, theplurality of energy storage units of the battery module 11 are coupledin series or in parallel. It can be understood that the number ofbattery modules 11 included in the power supply component 10 and thenumber of energy storage units included in each battery module 11 can beset according to specific design requirements, which are not limitedherein.

The energy storage unit may adopt the main popular energy modules atpresent, such as a lead-acid battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, alithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium cobalt oxide battery, alithium titanate battery, a super capacitor power battery, a lithium-ioncapacitor, a ternary polymer lithium battery, or other energy modulesthat can store or provide electrical energy. In this implementation, theenergy storage unit is preferably a light-weight, energy-saving andenvironment-friendly lithium-ion battery cell.

In this implementation, the plurality of battery modules 11 are coupledin series in order, and each battery module 11 includes a firstelectrode terminal 111 and a second electrode terminal 112. Asillustrated in FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the first battery pack101 includes four battery modules 11 coupled in series. The secondbattery pack 102 includes one battery module 11. The first electrodeterminal 111 may be a negative terminal, and the second electrodeterminal 112 may be a positive terminal. Correspondingly, the commonterminal “a” is the first electrode terminal 111 of the first batterymodule 11. The first output terminal “b” is the second electrodeterminal 112 of the fifth battery module 11, and the second outputterminal “c” is the second electrode terminal 112 of the fourth batterymodule 11 or the first electrode terminal 111 of the fifth batterymodule 11. It can be understood that the first electrode terminal 111may also be a positive terminal, and the second electrode terminal 112may also be a negative terminal.

In this implementation, each battery module 11 is a lithium-ion batterycell, and its rated voltage is about 3.7V. In this way, when theelectric tool power supply 100 is installed on the electric tool 200, itis capable of outputting operating voltage of 20V. When the electrictool power supply 100 is installed in the vehicle and coupled to thestarter 300, it is capable of outputting a starting voltage of 12V-16V.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a schematic block diagram of anelectric tool power supply 100 having a vehicle starting functionaccording to yet another implementation of the present disclosure. Insome implementations, the electric tool power supply 100 furtherincludes an equalization module 40 and a control module 50. Theequalization module 40 includes a plurality of equalization units 41that are electrically coupled to output terminals (the positiveterminals 112) of the plurality of battery modules 11 one by one. Thatis, the number of the equalization units 41 is the same to the number ofthe battery modules 11, and there is a one-to-one correspondence.

The control module 50 is electrically coupled to each equalization unit41 for controlling an operating state of each equalization unit 41.Specifically, when the voltage of one or more battery modules 11 in thepower supply component 10 is higher than that of other battery modules11 in the power supply component 10, the control module 50 turns on theequalization unit(s) 41 coupled to the battery module(s) 11 having thehigher voltage, so as to perform equalization control on the voltage ofthe battery module 11 having the higher voltage. The equalization unit41 discharges its corresponding battery module 11 when it is turned on(in working state).

In this implementation, the control module 50 is configured to controlthe equalization module 40 to perform equalization control on thevoltage of the battery module 11 having the higher voltage during acharging process of the power supply component 10. For example, whencharging the power supply component 10, if the voltage of a certainbattery module 11 is higher, the corresponding equalization unit 41 willbe controlled to start working until the higher voltage battery module11 is equal to the other battery modules 11 in voltage, and then thecorresponding equalization unit 41 will stop working. That is, thebattery module 11 having the higher voltage is discharged while beingcharged, so that the charging speed of the battery module 11 having thehigher voltage is lower than that of the other battery modules 11.Therefore, during the charging process, the voltage of the batterymodule 11 having the higher voltage is adjusted to be consistent withthe voltage of other battery modules 11.

It should be noted that due to the individual differences of the batterycell and the different usage environments, the power imbalance of eachbattery module 11 is caused. This imbalance will become greater andgreater as the battery life cycle increases, which will seriously affectthe service life of the power supply component 10. Therefore, in orderto prolong the service life of the power supply component, the powersupply component 10 needs to be balanced during use, so that the powerof each battery is the same as far as possible.

Therefore, in the electric tool power supply 100 disclosed in thisimplementation, since the equalization module 40 is provided, when thecontrol module 50 detects that the voltage of one or more batterymodules 11 is unbalanced, it can turn on the corresponding equalizationunit 41 to equalize the corresponding battery modules 11, so as toimprove the consistency among the plurality of battery modules 11,thereby increasing the service life of the power supply component 10.

In some implementations, the electric tool power supply 100 furtherincludes a conversion module 60 that is electrically coupled between thesecond output terminal “c” of the power supply component 10 and one ofthe second connecting terminals “e” of the second output interface 30.The conversion module 60 is configured to convert the electric energyoutput by the power supply component 10 into instantaneous large-currentwhen receiving a starting signal, and output the instantaneouslarge-current to the starter 300 through the second output interface 30,to enable the starter 300 to start the vehicle. The instantaneouslarge-current can reach more than 1000A, which can be set according toactual usage conditions, and is not specifically limited here.

In this implementation, the starting signal may be generated when avehicle key of the vehicle is in a certain gear, for example, when thevehicle key of the vehicle is in a “START” gear, the vehicle generatesthe starting signal. In other implementations, the starting signal mayalso be generated according to a user's operation instructions, forexample, when the user presses a certain switch, the starting signal isgenerated.

In this implementation, the control module 50 may be a single-chipmicrocomputer, a micro control unit (MCU), etc. The control module 50may include a plurality of signal collection ports, communication ports,multiple control ports, etc., so to control corresponding electronicdevices or circuit structures according to different controlrequirements.

The implementations of the present disclosure are described in detailabove, and specific examples are used to illustrate the principles andimplementations of the present disclosure. The descriptions of the aboveimplementations are only configured to help understand the methods andcore ideas of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art,based on the ideas of the present disclosure, there will be changes inthe specific implementations and application scope. In summary, thecontent of this specification should not be construed as limiting thepresent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric tool power supply detachablyinstalled on an electric tool, the electric tool power supplycomprising: a power supply component configured to store and provideelectrical energy; a first output interface electrically coupled to thepower supply component, wherein the power supply component is configuredto provide operating voltage for the electric tool through the firstoutput interface; and a second output interface electrically coupled tothe power supply component, wherein the second output interface isfurther configured to electrically coupled to a starter of a vehicle,and the power supply component is configured to output instantaneouslarge-current to the starter through the second output interface tostart the vehicle.
 2. The electric tool power supply of claim 1, whereinthe power supply component comprises a first battery pack, wherein bothof the first output interface and the second output interface receiveand output electrical energy provided by the first battery pack.
 3. Theelectric tool power supply of claim 2, wherein the power supplycomponent further comprises a second battery pack coupled in series withthe first battery pack, wherein the first output interface receives andoutputs electrical energy commonly provided by the first battery packand the second battery pack.
 4. The electric tool power supply of claim1, wherein the power supply component comprises a common terminal, afirst output terminal, a second output terminal, a first battery pack,and a second battery pack, wherein the first battery pack and the secondbattery pack are coupled in series; wherein the first battery pack iselectrically coupled between the common terminal and the second outputterminal, and the second battery pack is electrically coupled betweenthe first output terminal and the second output terminal; the firstoutput interface comprises two first connection terminals, wherein thetwo first connection terminals are electrically coupled to the commonterminal and the first output terminal in a one-to-one correspondence;and the second output interface comprises two second connectionterminals, wherein the two second connection terminals are electricallycoupled to the common terminal and the second output terminal in aone-to-one correspondence.
 5. The electric tool power supply of claim 4,wherein the first battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modulescoupled in series, and the second battery pack comprises at least onebattery module.
 6. The electric tool power supply of claim 5, whereinthe first battery pack comprises four battery modules coupled in series.7. The electric tool power supply of claim 5, wherein the second batterypack comprises one battery module.
 8. The electric tool power supply ofclaim 5, wherein each battery module comprises one or more energystorage units, wherein the energy storage unit comprises one of alead-acid battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a lithium iron phosphatebattery, a lithium cobalt oxide battery, a lithium titanate battery, asuper capacitor power battery, a lithium-ion capacitor, and a ternarypolymer lithium battery.
 9. The electric tool power supply of claim 8,wherein the battery module comprises a plurality of energy storage unitscoupled in series or in parallel.
 10. The electric tool power supply ofclaim 1, wherein the power supply component comprises a plurality ofbattery modules coupled in series; the electric tool power supplyfurther comprising: an equalization module comprising a plurality ofequalization units, wherein the plurality of equalization units areelectrically coupled to output terminals of the battery modules of thepower supply component one by one.
 11. The electric tool power supply ofclaim 10, further comprising a control module electrically coupled toeach equalization unit for controlling an operating state of eachequalization unit; wherein when the voltage of one or more batterymodules in the power supply component is higher than that of otherbattery modules in the power supply component, the control module turnson the equalization unit coupled to the battery module having the highervoltage, so as to perform equalization control on the voltage of thebattery module having the higher voltage.
 12. The electric tool powersupply of claim 10, further comprising a control module electricallycoupled to each equalization unit for controlling an operating state ofeach equalization unit; wherein the equalization unit is configured tocontrol its corresponding battery module to discharge when theequalization unit is turned on; the control module is configured tocontrol the equalization module to perform equalization control on thevoltage of the battery module having the higher voltage during acharging process of the power supply component.
 13. The electric toolpower supply of claim 10, further comprising a control moduleelectrically coupled to each equalization unit for controlling anoperating state of each equalization unit; wherein when the controlmodule detects that the voltage of the battery module having the highervoltage is equal to that of the other battery modules in the powersupply component, the control module controls the correspondingequalization unit to stop working.
 14. The electric tool power supply ofclaim 1, further comprising a conversion module electrically coupledbetween the power supply component and the second output interface,wherein the conversion module is configured to convert the electricenergy provided by the power supply component into instantaneouslarge-current when receiving a starting signal, and output theinstantaneous large-current to the starter through the second outputinterface, to enable the starter to start the vehicle.